Bronchoscope with illuminating system



ma @Mmmm i l July 2, 1957 l T. F. Amr-:N 2,797,683 l s BRoNcHoscom: um ummm-:mc: sysm i Filed Nov. 29, 1554 l 4 l THOMAS E .4l/(EN,

INVENTUR.

.', Imm 3 2,797,683 i BRONCHOSCOIE WITH ILLUMINATIXG SYSTEM Thomas F. Aiken, San Fernando, Calif. Application' November 29,`19s4, senat No. 471,636 scanne (ci. 12s- 6) This inventionrelates to surgical devices of the .type intended for insertion into a body cavity to illuminate the cavity for visual inspection and to permit the inserV tion and manipulation therethrough of various surgical instrumentalitics. For the purse of disclosure and to illustrate the principles involved, the invention will be described herein as embodied a bronchoscope. lt is to be understood, however, that the invention is not strictly limited to this particular surgical device.-

One problem to which the invention is directed i's to provide a device of this character that. is of simple and inexpensive construction. Another problem within the purview of the invention is to provide such a device that may be cleaned and sterilized between periods of use in a convenient manner and without requiring troublesome and time consuming assembly and disassembly operations. A third problem in mind is'to incorporate a simple illumination system in such a device that will provide adequate illumination at a desirable illumination angle and will offer minimum interference with the manipulation of the device.

ln the preferred practice of the invention these prob lerns are met successfully by making the device in the form of an appropriately shaped single block of suitable plastic material that has the property of transmitting light therethrough by internal reflection. The single block of plastic, which preferably has a generally cylindrical e'xtemal configuration is formed with two longitudinal passages. One of the longitudinal passages is of relatively large cross sectional area to provide for communication with the body cavity and to make visual inspection of the cavity possible. The other longitudinal passage is of smaller cross sectional area and may be curved laterally at its leading end, if desired, to open onto the periphery of the plastic block. This second passage may be used for inserting a surgical device into the body cavity. v Y

A suitable light source in the form of a small electric lamp is positioned to direct light into the material of the plastic block longitudinally thereof thereby to cause the light-to be emitted from the leading end of the block. One feature of the preferred practice of tbe invention in this regard is the forming. of the plastic block with an longitudinal axis. In this regard a feature of the invcn tion is the provision of a peripheral recess in thc form of a blind radial bore in the cylindrical enlargement of the plastic block, the purpose of this bore being to house a light source in the form of a lamp bulb.' Thus the lamp bulb is positioned within the configuration of the plastic block out of the way instead of being. at an interfering position outside the outer end of the plastic block.

A further feature is the concept of frictionally mounting the larnp bulb in the radial bore in a conveniently removable manner. Such an arrangement permits the lamp to be withdrawn when the device is to bc cleaned and sterilized, the withdrawal of the light source leaving a single monolithic plastic block with all of its surfaces accessible for cleaning and sterilizing operations.

The various features and advantages of thcinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description considered with the accompanying drawing.

ln the drawing, which is to be regarded as merely illustrative:

Figure l is a side elevation of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention as a bronchoscope;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the device 0n an l enlarged scale;

`l'`igurc: 3` is a side elevation of the device taken at 90 from the section shown in Figure 2;

angular end face at the leading end of the larger longi tudinal passage so that the emitted light is directed at an angle across theextended axis of the passage. By virrue of this arrangement the surface of the body cavity at the inner or leading end of the device `enll be illuminated by cross light to bring the surface texture of the cavity into relief. The direction of the cross light 'may be varied at will simply by rotating the plastic block about its longitudinal axis.

The preferred practice of the invention is fur-ther characterized by the concept of employing a plastic block 4 of cylindrical 4conguration with a cylindrical enlargement at its outer endto serve as' a convenient handle for holding the device and for rotating the device about its Figure 4 is a transverse section taken as indicated by the line 4--4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is an end view of the deviccf The drawing shows a single body or block, generally designated B, of plastic material of a type capable of transmitting light by intental reflection. The body may be made of any well known plastic of this character, such as polytrifluorochloroethylene. 4

ln the present embodiment of the invention the body B is in the form of an elongated barrel or rod 10 of l cylindrical external configuration having a radial or cylindrical enlargement 12 at its outer end. Preferably the elongated barrel l0 has an inclined leading face 14 at its inner end, this face being in a plane at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. At the other or outer end of the d evice the cylindrical enlargement 12 has :tn outer face l5 which may be substantially perpendicular-to the axis ofthe longitudinal barrel 10.

VThe plastic block or body B has a first longitudinal passage 16 of relatively large cross sectional arcal that extends frorn one of the end faces to the other. In the present embodiment of the invention, this first longitudinal passage 16 is a straight unimpeded passage to provide free communication with the interior of the patient's lungs for the purpose of free breathing and also to permit visual inspection of the lung tissue and insertion of a right angle viewing instrument. Preferably the longitudinal passage 16, to gain the largest cross section possii ble, is of a semi-eircular cross sectional configuration so that the passage has a fiat side 18.-

A second smaller longitudinal passage 2 0 of circular,

cross sectional conguration is positioned centrally of the body near the flat side 18 of the first longitudinal passage 16 This second passage 20 extends inward from the outer face l5 of the body and at its leading end is curved 3 largement l2 to house a suitable light bulb 25. lt will be noted that the radial bore p ositions the light bulb 25 within the zone of the circumference of the elongated barrel l0, but, ofcourse, outside the c ross sectional arcas of the two longitudinal passages 16 and 20. ln this position the light biilb 25 directs light into the material of the plastic body B in a direction longitudinally of the elongated barrel l0 and causes the light to be emitted from the inclined leading face 14. Preferably the lamp bulb is provided with a suitable reflector (not shown) to retlect light from the lamp bulb in the desired longitudinal direction. ln the preferred practice of the invention, the lamp. bulb is carried by a plugin assembly or litting 26 on the end of an electric cord 28, this fitting being constructedvand dimensioned to tit frictionally in the radial bore 25 in an easily removable manner.

The manner in which the invention servies its purpose may be readily understood from the foregoing description. With the device assembled for use, as shown, it may be readily inserted into a patients lungs and when so inserted the first longitudinal passage I6 will permit the patient to breathe with case. The interior of the lungs may be observed through the same longitudinal passage 16 by light that is emitted from the inclined leading face 14. Thus the device illuminates the texture of the tissues in relief by cross lighting and the direction of the cross lighting may be varied at will simply by rotating the device about its longitudinal axis.

Any .appropriate instrumentality may be inserted through the second longitudinal passage 20. For example, as heretofore stated, a catheter may be inserted through this second passage to withdraw tiuids from the tracbca and bronch. it will be noted that the light source in the radial bore 242 is out of the way and per mits the cylindrical enlargement 12 to serve as a convenient handle for freely manipulating and rotating the device as desired, as well as for manipulation of the catheter.

lt is an extremely simple matter to Withdraw the plug' in lamp fitting 26 in preparation for cleaning and sterilizing operations, and it is an equally simple matter. to replace the plugin lamp fitting to ready the device for use. With the lamp fittingA removed, only the single plastic body B remains and it is apparent that the plastic body may be totally immersed inv any desirable sterilizing tluid. lt is contemplated that the plastic material of the body B will be of a character capable of withstanding temperatures substantially higher than 2l2 F. so that the body may be sterilized by boiling water or by steam and may be placed in an autoclave for this purpose.

Although the now preferred embodiment ofthe present invention has been sboivn and described herein,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, for its is siiceptiblc to changes in form and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

l claim: I l. A -surgical device of the character described com- I 'prisingz a block of generally cylindrical external configtk vration for insertion into a body cavity, said block having a first longitudinal passage of generally semi-circular cross-sectional eonguration for communication with 'and v `2,797,eas

visual inspection of'a body cavity and having a second longitudinal passage curved at its leading end to openv on to the periphery of the block for the insertion of a surgical instrument into the body cavity; and a light' source mounted on said block to direct light into the material of said block longitudinally thereof for illumination of thc body cavity, said light source being positioned within the outer, circumference of said block but outside vof the cross-sectional areas of said passages, said block being made of material capable of transmitting light therethrough by internal reflection for emission of the light from the end of the block.

2. A surgical device of the character described comprising: a block of plastic material of generally cylindrical external' configuration for insertion into a bodycavty and with an enlargement at one end to serve as a handle and having a recess therein, said block having a first longitudinal passage for communication with and visual inspection of the body cavity and having a second longi tudinal passage for the insertion of a surgical instrument into the body cavity, said second longitudinal passa-ge being curved to open at its leading end on the periphery of the block near the leading end of the block; and a lamp in said recess in the handle portion of said block to direct light into said. plastie material longitudinally of the block, said plastic 'material being capable of light transmission therethrough by internal reflection to use light tot be-cinittcd from the leading end of the block.

3. A surgical device as set forth in claim 2 in which prising: a body member of a transparent material d pable of transmitting light therethrough by-internal retin-f tion, said body member including a generally cylindrical ,rod having an enlargement at one end thereof, said rod4 being ins-enable into a body cavity, said body member having a first longitudinal passage therethrough for com munication with and visual inspection of the body cavity and having a second longitudinal passage therethrough for the insertion of a surgical instrument into the body cavity, said first longitudinal passage having a substantially semieireular cross-sectional area in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylindrical rod and said second longitudinal passage having a substantially circular cross@ tional area in the transverse direction, said second longitudinal passage being disposed on the non-circular side of the rst passage, said second longitudinal passage opening onto the end of the rod opposite said enlargementadjacent the opening thereon of the rst passage; and a light source mounted on said enlargement to direct light into the material of the body member and longitudinally of the rod thereof for illumination of the body czry, said light source being positioned within the outer cir' cumfcrence of said enlargement but outside of the tn'of sectional areas of said passages.

6. A surgical device as set forth in claim 5 in 'which said rod has an inclined end face at the end opposite said enlargement onto whicbsaid first passage opens, thereby to emit the light at an angle across the axis of the first passage whereby the cavity tissue in the region of the first passage is illuminated by cross light.

7'. Surgical apparatus of the character described, including, a body member of a transparent material capable of transmitting light therethrough by internal reflection, said body member including a generally cylindrical rod having an enlargement at one end o f the rod, said rod being immane info a body cavity, said body member having a first longitudinal passage therethrough for com munication with and visual inspection of the body cavity and having a second longitudinal passage therethrough for the insertion of a surgical instrument into the body'eavity, said rst longitudinal passage having a substantially semicircular cross-sectional area in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylindrical rod and said second longitu dinal passage having a substantially circular crosssectional area in the transverse direction, said second longitndirial passage being disposed on 'tbe non-circular side ot the first passageway, said first and second longitudinal t passages extending through the rod and communicating with the atmosphere at the end opposite the. enlargement, said enlargement being of a generally cylindrical con-l figuration axially aligned with the axis of the rod and having a socket for receiving a light source for mounting on said enlargement to direct light into the material of the body member for travel of the light through the body member to illuminate the c avily.

8. A surgical apparatus as sct forth in claim 7 in which the rod has an inclined face at the end opposite the cn largement to obtain the cmssonof light in a direction transverse lo the axis of the cylindrical rod and in n direction dependent upon the rotational disposition of the rod. j

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,246.34() Smit Nov. I3, l9l7 5 2,235,979 Brown Mar. 25, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS l 158,149 crm Britain Feb. 3, 192x 

